Proof Blocks: Autogradable Scaffolding Activities for Learning to Write Proofs

TL;DR

Proof Blocks is an educational software that allows students to construct proofs by arranging prewritten lines, enabling automatic grading and immediate feedback, thus enhancing proof learning and assessment.

Contribution

The paper introduces Proof Blocks, a novel tool that automates proof grading and supports flexible proof construction through dependency graphs.

Findings

Enables automatic grading of proof arrangements

Supports a wider variety of proof questions

Facilitates self-guided learning of proofs

Abstract

Proof Blocks is a software tool which enables students to write proofs by dragging and dropping prewritten proof lines into the correct order. These proofs can be graded completely automatically, enabling students to receive rapid feedback on how they are doing with their proofs. When constructing a problem, the instructor specifies the dependency graph of the lines of the proof, so that any correct arrangement of the lines can receive full credit. This innovation can improve assessment tools by increasing the types of questions we can ask students about proofs, and can give greater access to proof knowledge by increasing the amount that students can learn on their own with the help of a computer.